'Joker' director Todd Phillips dismisses sequel rumours

Todd Phillips says there are no plans for a sequel to his recently acclaimed film “Joker.” The director clears the speculations, saying the movie does not require a continuation.

Phillips was on hand to answer questions about the film at a post-screening reception for the press in Los Angeles. When asked about a possible sequel for “Joker,” he straight out replied that there is “no plan for a sequel.”

The filmmaker then clarified his statements from a previous interview where he seemingly expressed his interest to work on a sequel. He said his words were taken out of context when he said that he would “do anything Joaquin wants to do.” He assured that he would like to work with Joaquin in a second film “but the movie’s not set up to have a sequel.”

Joaquin Phoenix, who plays the titular character, was also at the screening and he asked Phillips why he “wouldn’t want to work” with him again. The director again explained that “Joker” was meant to be a standalone film. When he pitched the movie to Warner Bros. he intended for it to be “one movie” that “exists on its own world.” It wasn’t meant to be part of the DC film universe or even a franchise-starter.

“It’s not about world-building, it’s not about other versions. It’s like, here’s our version of the origin story. That’s it. That’s what I meant,” Phillips added.

The director’s clarification comes after his interview with Total Film magazine where he hinted at a second film. He said he would like to work with Phoenix again, “any day of the week,” because “there’s nobody like him.” Phillips then teased that a sequel is possible if the first one attracts the interest of the viewers.

“If he was willing to do it, and if people show up to this movie, and Warners came to us and said, ‘You know what? If you guys could think of something…’ Well, I have a feeling that he and I could think of something pretty cool,” the publication quoted Phillips as saying.

Regardless if there is a “Joker” sequel or not, the first film alone is an Oscar contender. Earliest reviews praised the movie and it even won big at the Venice Film Festival.